Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Modern Honolulu Slide Show

Bishop Museum historian Desoto Brown presented a compelling set of archival ephemera featuring mid-century Honolulu at Docomomo_US Hawaii Talk Story event tonight. Local businesses, people and modern architecture shot by professional photographers were the subjects of Desoto's narrated show in vintage black & white. From his archivist perspective, Desoto emphasized the key role played by commercial photographers such as Robert Wenkam who artfully captured the moment and the importance of proper archiving to preserve historic record. Never seen before, this presentation is a "must see" for others who have interest in the modern roots of our mid-Pacific metropolis. Thanks to Docomomo_US Hawaii resident historian Don Hibbard and Desoto Brown! Photo of first Toyota for sale in Hawaii in 1959, courtesy of Bishop Museum.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Hawaiian Modern: Then and Now

In anticipation of the release of the second edition of the award-winning book, Hawaiian Modern: The Architecture of Vladimir Ossipoff, Yale University Press Art Books posted Dean Sakamoto's reflection on his original motivation to do this project and the impact of the first edition. Photos of selected Ossipoff masterworks by art photographer Vicky Sambunaris accompany this post including two never before published views across Honolulu from the summit of Diamond Head Crater. The Liljestrand House is pictured above. Vicky Sambunaris photo. To view the Yale Art Books Author Posts see: http://artbooks.yupnet.org/2015/01/20/hawaiian-modern-now/

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Erwin Hauer's Continua in Honolulu

Living legend modernist artist Erwin Hauer's architectural screen block finally hits ground in Hawaii. Cast from digitally fabricated molds by Enrique Rosado of Erwin Hauer Studios, the Continua Series Design 2 block (pictured) is soon to be installed in a mid-century Honolulu residence and at DSA's new Iwilei office later this spring. Continua's complex geometry rendered seamlessly in white gypsum plaster is structurally sound and visually stunning for both interior and exterior applications in tropical settings. Continua's arrival in Hawaii is long overdue. Dean Sakamoto photo.For more info on Erwin Hauer and the Continua series see: http://www.erwinhauer.com/

Friday, January 16, 2015

Chapel-Howe Street Apartments Rising

This 6-story 136 rental unit apartment complex is topped-off in downtown New Haven near the Yale University campus. Replacing a parking lot at the gateway intersection to the Chapel West District, this building will provide needed housing for students and young professionals and stimulate further development in the Elm City's urban core. DSA worked closely with Beinfield Architecture to attain City site plan approval and community support for this landmark project. The realization of this project by RMS Development fulfills DSA's 2005 Chapel West Vision Plan recommendation for a mixed-use rental housing complex at this location. Dean Sakamoto photo.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Urban Resilience For Coastal Communities at Yale

Dean Sakamoto is teaching this new interdisciplinary graduate level course at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. The focus of this course is coastal storm resilience and climate change adaptation through community planning and design in the East End of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Students will work with community stakeholders to develop coastal resilience guidelines in preparation for current coastal hazards and future events. Student group pictured (above). Dean Sakamoto photo.For more info on Urban Resilience at Yale FES see http://environment.yale.edu/courses/2014-2015/detail/766/

Thursday, January 8, 2015

HURRIPLAN in Post-Sandy South NJ

Dean Sakamoto, Don Watson and Dennis Hwang deliver HURRIPLAN: Resilient Building Design For Coastal Communities to state and local officials, planning and design
professionals in Tuckerton, New Jersey. This two-day event is being
held at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve with over
forty participants on January 8-9. Sakamoto developed HURRIPLAN, a FEMA certified training program for the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Since 2012, HURRIPLAN has been offered to hurricane-prone communities nation-wide. The seaside towns of Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor were significantly impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Don Watson is pictured (above) discussing hurricane flood hazards. Group photo of participants (below). Dennis Hwang photos.

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About DSA

Dean Sakamoto Architects LLC (DSA) was founded in 1999 to provide high-quality architectural design for clients in the Northeast U.S. and Pacific Region. With a special focus on fine design, sustainability, civic engagement, and collaborative, personal service, DSA’s experience includes designs for institutional, residential, urban and transportation projects in temperate and tropical environments. Whether designing large structures, civic projects, intimate residences, retail spaces, or scholarly exhibitions relating to architectural history and cutting-edge design practices, DSA’s expertise and hands-on approach reflect a design philosophy based on the wisdom of simplicity.